Contemporary evaluation and management of the female urethral diverticulum

We are in agreement with Davis and Telinde, who state, "The most important single diagnostic instrument for the discovery of suburethral diverticula is the high index of suspicion" [25]. The key to successful treatment of a female diverticulum is not only in the surgical management but also in the identification and evaluation of patients who present with a myriad of symptoms. It is our responsibility to include urethral diverticula in the differential diagnoses before the labels of interstitial cystitis, urethral syndrome, or urgency frequency syndrome are misplaced. The diagnosis may be elusive and the pathology difficult to identify on physical examination. However, if the index of suspicion is high and the proper radiologic imaging studies are gathered, then the correct diagnosis will often be made. The evaluation of the female urethral diverticulum has evolved greatly over the past several years. However, once appropriate diagnosis is made, the management scheme is fairly straightforward. Strict adherence to principles of surgical reconstruction allows one to eradicate the diverticulum while simultaneously preventing complications and recurrences.